Photography Blog

STREETOGRAPHY: STEALTH, GOOD OR BAD?

One of the questions most upcoming Street photographers ask is, “what will my subjects do if am caught shooting them?” Then they reason “can I just take them without them spotting me?” it’s a big question that has gone unanswered for a long time, everybody having his views but most Street photographers have come to the conclusion that “being stealth is bad business”.

What is being stealth?

The attribute or characteristic of acting in secrecy, or in such a way that the actions are unnoticed or difficult to detect by others.

Sounds cool right? Hell yeah it does but it’s like calling on the lion while in a forest. Naturally, humans are a busy type, every one has got something to do, somewhere to go that’s why they are on the streets. For you, you already at work, do its more like they coming to your office. Then which company ceo hides himself from his clients?

When you hide yourself and try and look stealth, then you look suspicious, people have that full assurance that you are taking a picture of them and therefore garner courage to challenge you. If the camera was actually at your eye level, people will assume he’s a journalist just doing his job, or a tourist and you even find out people are trying to avoid your shots, because they don’t want to spoil it.

When you start out, you would be tempted to try and act like “Neo” in the sci-fi movie The Matrix. Africans are naturally environment conscious people so if you think no one is watching you, have a rethink, someone is definitely watching you. By acting stealth you give such a person more reason to wanna come and confront you rather just be yourself, laugh and photograph and let the fun flow. Sleeping on duty!

Being freaky is no good deal. Trying to be stealth, you might wanna have the camera at waist level and shoot but how would the camera frame your shots? So definitely it’s been concluded that’s it’s not advisable to be stealth rather think off you can go as unnoticeable as possible. In my next write up, I’ll have a few tips on how I remain as unnoticeable as possible. For now, enjoy your shooting!